The recent Four Corners investigation into Australia’s childcare system has uncovered deeply troubling gaps in child safety. Experts say it’s a wake-up call for all of us — parents, carers and educators — to do more to protect children from harm. When Systems Fail, Communities Must...
Education experts say flexible school models could curb teacher burnout and boost student success — it’s time to rethink the school day. Reimagining the School Day The traditional 8:30 am to 3:15 pm school day was designed for another era — and it’s no longer serving modern...
Many children who resist school aren’t being defiant — they’re overwhelmed. Learn how to spot the signs of school refusal and support your child with empathy and early help. When school mornings turn into battles As Term 4 begins, many parents are bracing for the return of...
Here’s what to do instead, writes Nick Fuller the author of Healthy Parents, Healthy Kids It’s a tactic many parents know well: “eat two bites of broccoli, and then you can have dessert”. It seems like a practical solution for encouraging kids – especially picky eaters – to...
Parents play an important role in teaching their children about sex and relationships, write researchers Jennifer Power, Alexandra James and Thomas Norman. But their new report shows many parents – fathers in particular – find it mortifying. Our national survey of 1,918 parents shows they are...
For some families, the long wait for a diagnosis ends early — but that moment can be as confronting as it is clarifying. In Part 2, Clinical geneticist Dr Susan White explores what happens when a label finally arrives, and how parents and children learn to...
Some towns are cutting fluoride from water supplies. Why? Asks Amit Arora and Arosha Weerakoon Thousands of residents in Dubbo and Wellington, in western New South Wales, haven’t had fluoride added to their tap water for nearly seven years. After a public outcry, the council’s fluoridation equipment...
Forget superfoods – the biggest boost for your brain and body could be sitting right at the dinner table. CQUniversity educational neuroscience experts Dr Ragnar Purje and Professor Ken Purnell say family meals are one of the most powerful and overlooked rituals for boosting wellbeing. “Family meals...
Monash University gives paramedics a playful helping hand: new kits to calm kids in crisis Why calming children matters in an emergency Children being rushed to the hospital often face more than physical pain – they also experience fear and distress that can complicate treatment. To address...
Each year, thousands of babies are born with congenital anomalies — structural or functional differences that can affect development. While modern medicine has advanced dramatically, many families still face the uncertainty of a child’s undiagnosed condition. In Part 1, Clinical geneticist Dr Susan White reflects on...
